Daniel Swale

Daniel Swale is an Associate Professor of Insect Neurophysiology and Toxicology in the Department of Entomology and Nematology within Agricultural and Veterinary Science and the Emerging Pathogens Institute at the University of Florida. He serves as Associate Director for Training and Special Projects at the Emerging Pathogens Institute. Swale received his B.S. in Biology and Chemistry from Christopher Newport University in 2008, M.S. in Life Sciences from Virginia Tech in 2009, Ph.D. in insect neurotoxicology from the University of Florida in 2012, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Anesthesiology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in 2015. His research integrates physiology, toxicology, and molecular genetics to advance understanding of insecticide and drug modes of action, discovery, development, and resistance. The Swale Lab applies toxicological, pharmacological, electrophysiological, and genomic methods to investigate physiotoxicology of ion channels and ion transporters in model insects, arthropod vectors of human diseases, and agricultural pests.

A key focus of the lab examines pathogen-vector interactions that modify physiological pathways to influence pathogen pathogenesis, arthropod behavior, and vector competency. Current initiatives employ artificial intelligence for novel insecticide discovery, including dual-mechanism compounds against the Asian citrus psyllid and high-affinity ligands for aphid salivary gland potassium channels. Swale testified before the U.S. Congress in 2025 on agrochemical innovation for pest control in crops, livestock, and disease vectors. He has received the Entomological Society of America 2025 Nan-Yao Su Award for Innovation and Creativity in Entomology and the AGRO Division New Investigator Award. Swale teaches courses including Insect Toxicology (ENY6651C), Insect Research CURE (ENY2890C), and Environmental and Global Health Research Methods Rotation (PHC6722). Professional Email: dswale@ufl.edu